Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $46,460 a year ($22.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,140 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $44,060. There are 1.6 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| 25th percentile | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| Median | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| 75th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Average (mean) | $47,930 | $23.04 |
Half of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,871.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.92 |
| Weekly | $893.46 |
| Hourly | $22.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,810 | 690 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $46,800 | 410 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,060 | 350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,830 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for bus drivers, transit and intercity
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $84,480 |
| Washington | $72,280 |
| Hawaii | $68,500 |
| California | $67,130 |
| Oregon | $65,510 |
| Massachusetts | $65,460 |
| Maryland | $65,220 |
| Illinois | $65,200 |
| Alaska | $64,150 |
| Colorado | $63,010 |
See Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $53,280 | $25.61 |
| Light Truck Driver | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,900 | $14.38 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,280 | $14.56 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $46,460 a year, or $22.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $60,140 a year. The top 25% earn $47,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,130 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $45,000 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 560 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.